New Jersey Certified Public Accountants High School Scholarship

The NJCPA Scholarship Fund awards one-year $1,500 scholarships to college-bound New Jersey high school seniors intending to major in accounting or obtain a concentration in accounting which includes not less than 24 accounting credits.

In addition to scholarships, high school award recipients will receive NJCPA mentors to assist them in their college years. The mentors are available to answer questions about student's academic career, the profession and the CPA exam. The purpose of the mentoring program is to assist the next generation of accounting professionals.

Before completing the application form, you will need to:

Prepare a 450-500-word essay on the topic below. Copy and paste your essay into the application for submission. Please refrain from including any identifying information in your essay such as your name or school. Your essay will be judged on the following areas: meeting essay length requirement, content originality; commitment to being a CPA; and, grammar, language and organization. An essay that exceeds expectations will demonstrate that the question is answered clearly and accurately and covers all topics requested. The essay is unique, creative and engaging. Language and vocabulary demonstrate sophisticated and exceptional use. An exceptional understanding of the accounting profession is indicated. The candidate is excited about what he/she can accomplish as a CPA.

Topic: By citing personal examples, what inspired you to choose accounting?

Read and accept the rules below.

Rules

1. Eligibility

This scholarship is for college-bound high school seniors intending to major in accounting or obtain a concentration in accounting which includes not less than 24 accounting credits. Applicants must:

a. Be a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted for permanent residence, and a NJ resident attending a NJ public, parochial/private or home school high school.

b. Have a cumulative three-year GPA of 3.2 or above OR a minimum total SAT score* (combined evidence-based reading and writing plus math) of 1260 OR minimum composite ACT score of 26. School transcripts and test scores should be submitted via mail, email or fax. A screenshot of test scores is acceptable.

c. Be planning to enter a U.S. college/university in the upcoming fall semester. Students planning to attend a two-year college must submit a letter of intent signed by the student and a parent or legal guardian indicating that the student intends to obtain a four-year degree as an accounting major or obtain a concentration in accounting which includes not less than 24 accounting credits at a four-year college/university after completing studies at the two-year college.

2. Application Deadline

Completed applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. December 8, 2025. A completed application includes:

a. Application, submitted online with all required fields completed.

b. Application essay, submitted online with no identifying information (e.g., your name, your school).

c. Guidance Department Form including student grade point average, standardized test score, guidance counselor name and signature, submitted by the student’s guidance counselor via mail, email or fax.

d. Copy of SAT or ACT score results, submitted via mail, email or fax. A screenshot of test scores is acceptable.

All of the above components must be received by midnight December 8, 2025 in order for an application to be considered complete. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the NJCPA if confirmation of receipt is not received within three (3) business days of submission.

3. Required Interview

All finalists will be notified by January 5, 2026. Finalists are required to participate in a short virtual interview on Saturday, January 17, 2026. There will be no make-up date.

4. Inquiries

The NJCPA Student Programs and Scholarship Committee will answer any questions that may arise as to eligibility, participation or selection of winners. In all cases, the committee’s decisions are final. Questions about the scholarship program can be sent to Pam Isenburg via email.

5. Notification of Results

Scholarship recipients will be notified in early March 2026. A list of all recipients will be available at njcpa.org/scholarship.

6. Duplicate Scholarships

In the event a scholarship recipient also receives a scholarship from another source, which he or she stands to lose as a result of winning an NJCPA Scholarship, the Student Programs and Scholarship Committee may, at the recipient’s request, withdraw or reduce the amount of the award.

7. Award Disbursement and Terms

Scholarship payment will be made to the college or university. Payment is contingent upon submission of the Scholarship Activation Form.